Brick making machine



July 28 1931. T. R. LARGURA 1,815,572

BRICK MAKING MACHINE Filed Nov. 7, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

Two lac R.LE u" ura July 28, 1931. LARGURAl 1,816,572

BRICK MAKING MACHINE Filed Nov. 7, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.

Twnhk R. La gura July 28, 1931.

iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii t an a a n 1- Two [11 R L 3 a Patented July 28, 1931 OFFICE TWOLIK R. LARGURA, OF MICHIGAN CITY, INDIANA BRICK MAKING MACHINE Application filed November 7', 1928. Serial No. 317,707.

' This invention relates to improvements in brick making machines.

The primary object of this-invention is the provision of an improved brick [making .nachine, having particular reference with respect to improvements in the dies and the die supporting means of the machine, by means of which to speed up the production of the bricks without sacrificing the quality 3f the output.

A further object of this invention is the provision of improvements in brick making machines, by means of which the laminated effect on bricks is eliminated. I

A further object of this invention is the provision of improvedmeans for strengthening the die holding portions of brick machines, by properly transmitting the force incident to pressure of the moving clay, to L-he place on the die which is best adapted to receive the same.

'ticularly the improved provision of an improved brick die. having reversible liner plates.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent during the course of the. following'detailed description.

In theaccompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and wherein similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views,

Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view taken through the delivery end of the brick making machine, showing more parbrick machine die and other parts cooperating therewith for efliciently transmitting the flow of plastic brick making materiaLto the die.

Figure 2 1s a cross sectional view. taken substantially on the line 2-2 of Figure 1, showing the details of the die and the improved reversible liner plates and means for lubricating the interior of the die.

of the die body.

Figure 3 is a cross sectional view taken substantially on the line 33 .of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is an inside view of the die holding plate or block.

Flgure 5.'s an external view of holding plate of Figure 4. v

Figure 6 is a front elevation of amember, which may be appropriately termed a lamination eliminator, which is particularly intended for the purpose of shaping the stream of plastic material just prior to entering the die, soas to eliminate the formation of hard deposits, which ordinarly cause lamination grooves in the bricks which are to be'formed. Figure 7 is'a fragmentarytop plan view Figure 8 is aside elevation of the die body. v

Figures 9 and 10 are detachable and. reversible liner plates adapted to be used in the die body of Figures 7 and 8.

Figure 11 is an enlarged sectional view showing the lubricating relation of the reversible liner plates within the die body, at a corner of the latter.

'Fi ure. 12 is a sectional view taken substantlally on the line 1212 of Figure '11.

Figure 13 is a perspective view of a detachable plug which is used to seal certain 39 lubricating ducts 'in the die plates, but which ducts will be open when the die plates are reversed.

Figure 14 is a side elevation of a partition plate used in a double end cut brick making die.

Figure 15 is a horizontal sectional view taken through a double end cut brick forming die constructed in accordance with novel features of this invention.

Figure 16 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially on the line 1616 of Figure 15.

Fi re 17 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 17-17 of Figure 12.

' In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration are shown preferred and modified forms of this invention, the letter the die '55 housing B wherein a feed auger C is rotatably positioned. At the delivery end of the housing B is detachably connected a holding block or plate D adapted to detachably support the die proper E. In some typesof machines, although not all types, a detachable. housing portion F connects the die holder D to the main housing B, and in this part F between the feed auger C and die, I prefer to providea member K intended to compress and shape the moving or flowing body of plastic clay or other brick forming material, prior to the time that it enters the die, without the formation of hard foreign deposits, such as wouldcause damage to the bricks, and does so in the ordinary machines.

The brick making machine A is of any approved type. The housing B thereof may receive a detachable liner 25, wherein the forward end of the auger or expressing screw operates. The extension casing F may be detachably connected at 27 to the forward end of the housing B, and in some types of brick and tile making machines, the compartment of this facing extension F, beyond the expressing screw C furnishes a compartment for collecting clay, which forms hard deposits at the location where the clay enters the dies, tending to provide infe-rior bricks.

The die holder D is in the form of a plate, comprising a disc-like circular body 30, havin a polygonal shaped hub 33 ex-' tending rom the outer surface thereof, axially therewith, providing a rectangular shaped tapered compartment 34 adapted to ,receive the die. The compartment 34, of course, may vary in size, depending upon whether the machine is adapted for taking one or more cuts of brick, and of course depending upon whether the brick is single pr double cut brick, and the shape thereof. Radial reinforcing webs 35 extend from the corners of the die holding extension 33, on the outer surface of the plate, extending to locations adjacent the outer periphery of said holder D. Other radial reinforcing webs 37 may extend from the walls of the die holding extension 33, integral or rigid therewith, and of course rigid or integral with the disc body 30, as shown in Figure 5 of the drawings. Marginal openings 38 are provided about the disc body 30, for receiving bolts 39, by means of which to detachably connect the die holder D to the brick housing, and in the instance shown,

to the housing extension portion F.

The inner surface 41 of the die holding body 30 is provided with an annular extension 42, concentric with the axis of the die and the die holder, and it is adapted to face into the compartment of the brick housing,-

for a purpose to be subsequently described. Recessed inwardly of the inner surface 41 of the die holder D, in opening relation about the passageway 33 thru the die holding extension 33 is disposed a flange receiving socket 55, as shown in Figure 1, adapted to cooperate in supporting the die E, in a relation to be further described.

' Referring to the die E, the same in cross section is ordinarily rectangular, and in the present instance includes a casing 43, having top and bottom walls and 51, and side walls 52, defining a rectangular compartment 53. The inside surfaces of the walls defining the compartment taper from the rear end thereof in convergent relation to the. forward end thereof, and at the rear end said walls are provided with a continuous peripheral connecting flange 44, adapted to seat snugly in the recess of the holding plate D above described, with the die E projecting forwardly through the rectangular tapered passageway 34 of the hub extension 33 above described, and as shown in Figure 1 of the drawings.

The walls 50, 51 and 52, inwardly of the inner surfaces thereof are provided with transverse connecting grooves 57, which arev disposed-in a plane just forwardly of the extreme forward surface of the hub plate 33, as shown in Figure 1, and these grooves are adapted to be covered by the die liner plates, to form a continuous passageway wherein steam or a lubricating fluid is adapted to be supplied and received, and

apparent from Figures 2 and 16 of the drawings.

For a die casing having a rectangular passageway, or one of rectangular cross section, it will be necessary to provide detachable liner plates, such as shown at 65 and 66 in Figures'9 and 10 of the drawings. These liner plates, of course, will be of truncated plane formation. Each of the plates 65 and 66 is relatively thin gauged, and tapered from the rear edge to the front edge thereof, that is, the side edges are diverged and adapted to fit like a wedge in the passageway of the die casing 50, to entirelycover the interior surfaces of the walls forming said die casing 43 as is well shown in Figure 2 of the drawings. Of course, the larger liner plates 65' entirely cover the inner surfaces of the upper and lower walls 50 and 51 of the die casing, in wedging engagement with the side .walls, and the smaller liner plates 66' Wedge between the upper and lower plates 65 over the interior surfaces of the side Walls 52, as

shown in Figure 2 of the drawings. These i ing at the opposite face. In similar manner the smaller liner plates are provided with ducts 73. sloping at an acute angle to the plane of the said respective liner plates and opening at opposite faces. These ducts 72 and. 73 are provided right close to the ,side edges of the plates, in order that they will open into the compartment 70 of the mold, when the plates are in position and supply lubricant therethrough to the corners of the die or mold.

The liner plates are reversible, and when 30 in position within the mold casing the same ave said ducts lying in the plane ofqthe grooves 57, to receive lubricant therefrom. The liner plates are reversiblein order to permit the same to be used for a relatively long time, as the same are worn incident to the heavy pressure passage of the brick forming material therethrough, and

I only those ducts of the liner plates, are open to the inner sides of the liner plates which communicate with the lubricant grooves 57 at their rear ends and are inclined forwardly so that the passing mud cannot be forced into said grooves very readily. Figure 17 illustrates this feature, and the arrow designates the direction of passage of the brick forming material thru the mold, and the duct 73 is shown inclined forwardly towards the mold passageway. It is intended that only one duct will be open at any one time in each of the corners of the mold or die passageway 70 between the liner plates. Therefore, when the side liner plates 66 have their ducts open between the grooves 57 and the mud passageway 70 of the (lie, the ducts 72 of the other liner plates will be scaled by short pins or plugs 80, shown in. Figures 12'and 13 of the drawings. These plugs 80 are adapted to seal all ducts of the liner plates which incline to the rear towards the passageway of the die, as can readily be understood from Figure 12 of the drawings. By reversing the liner plates, the angularity of the ducts willbe changed, and the plugs 80 may be removed, as will be readily apparent from Figure 12 of the drawings. Thus, the liner plates 65 and 66 cover the lubricant groovesplates are :not only interchangeable, but are relatively reversible, to accomplish the purposes of this invention,-in providing a very durable die which takes into consideration that each of the corners of the die 'passage way must be lubricated-eat all times. As seenv from Figure 2 of the drawings, the side liner plates 66 are shown as having their ducts open between the lubricating grooves 57 and the die compartment, whereas the top.

and-bottom liner plates 65 have their ducts plugged, inasmuch as they slope in the opposite direction.

Referring to the member K, the same is provided for the dual purpose of properly guiding the brick forming material, in its plastic condition, into the die compartment, without the grooving or laminating thereof, and to assist in evenly distributing thegreat pressure, incident to concentration of the plastic mass, upon the mold or die holder D. As shown in the'drawings, the said member K comprises a body 90, having a passageway 91 therethrough, which tapers convergently from the screw facing side or rear surface 92 of said member, in a converging relation to the opposite or front surface 93 thereof. This passageway 91 at the rear surface 92 of the member K, is circular, and gradually tapers convergently to a polygonal opening 94'at the front of the member K, and which radial fins 96, preferably four in number,

the front surfaces of which are flush with the front surface 93 of the body 90, and

' which at their outer ends. and the front surfaces'thereof are adapted to engage against a slightly compressible packing ring 99,

which rests against the annular extension 42 of the die holding plate D, as shown in Figure 1 of the drawings. This leaves ashallow space 10( between the front and rear surfaces of the memberK and die holder D, and the outer ends of the fins. 96 being a I the only place that the member K has contact against the die holder D, .the force incident to a pressure feed of the mud or plastic material thru the machine, will insure that the force willbe distributed at the outer marginal portions of the die holder,

and not merely at the axial portion thereof, so that the ribs or webs 35 and 37 may cooperate in distributing the pressure, all over the area of the die holding disc 30. This prevents breaking of the die holder at the central or hub portion, where the load is ordinarily concentrated in conventional brick making machines.

To keep the member K from turning, the

same may be wedged in any suitable manner in the brick housing, but one way of preventing it from turning will be to provide of the outer ends of the fins 96, as is shown n Figures 1, 3 and 6 of the drawings. To" prevent the mud or brick forming material from entering the space 100 above described, I prefer to make the liner plates 65 and 66 sufiiciently long that they will profect across this space, and cooperate in any manner found desirable to provide a seal with or against the member K.. One way of doing this is to abut the rear edges of said liner plates 65 and 66 against the front surface of themember K, peripherally about the discharge opening 94, as shown in Figure 1. 1

When the housing B is bolted to the portion F thereof, the tapered compartment 115 of said housing, at its forward end, tapers to substantially the same size as the size of the rear :of the opening 91 above described, as is shown in Figure 1 of the drawings, to eliminate shoulders or sharp obstructions.

In the preferred working of the brick making machine, the expressing screw or auger C forces the plastic materialthru the housing B, and into the tapering passageway 91 of the irregularity eliminator K, and concentrates the mud or plastic material therein, sending it through the opening 94 into the die passageway between the liner plates 65 and 66, where the, brick is formed to the desired size, and after discharge from the die is end cut or side cut, in accordance with any approved manner well known to those skilled in this art. Themember K may be movable in the portion of the housing in which it lies, and it is preferred that the force thereagainst, incident to the passage of the mud stream, will be directed against the shoulder 42 in the manner above described, for distributing the force of operation around the outer marginal portions of the die holder D. While it is to be noted that the rear edges of the die liner plates abut against the rear surface of the member K, such action may only take place when the machine isin operation,and the force of the concentrating mud stream acting against the member K will distribute the pressure at the annular location 42, rather than on i the die liner plates. However, some of the loadmay be placed on the axial portion of the die, at the die liner plates, if desired. In lieu of the above described arrangement for sealing the compartment 100 against mud, I may provide a yieldable washer in said space, yieldable to a much greater extent than the washer or gasket 99 above de-, scribed, so as to preserve the objects of this invention in permitting an eflicient distribution of the operating forces upon the die holding plate or block.

It will of course be understood by those casing.

skilled in the art to which this invention relates that the cross sectional area of the die passageway may be varied to conform with the size of the brick being formed. In a die for a double cut brick, I may prefer to use a partition plate 120, shown in Figures 14, 15 and 16, longitudinally in the die compartment, dividing the same into brick forming passageways 121 and 122. This partition 120 is preferably imperforate, and abuts at its edges against the inside surfaces of the upper and lower walls of the die In lieu of one-piece liner plates for' the top and bottom of the die, I will therefore provide a pair of upper liner plates and a pair of lower liner plates 65*, for each of the compartments 121 and 122. Each of the liner plates 65 and 65 are provided with the lubricant feed ducts 7 2 therethrough, which are all inclined inwardly and forwardly, inasmuch as these liner plates 65 and 65 will not be reversible, but the side liner plates 66 will be reversible, in accordance with the same feature of the invention above described.

As shown in Figures 2 and 16 of the drawings, and elsewhere, each of the side walls 52 are provided with intermediate screw threaded openings 125, opening to the oil grooves 57; these openings 125 being adapted to receive eithervplugs 128 or conduits 129. If oil is the lubricant used, one of the openings 125 will have a conduit 129 connected therein, to feed oil to the connected grooves 57, and the other opening 125 will be plugged, as shown in Figures 2 and 16.

However, if steam is the lubricating medium, the other opening will also have a conduit therein (not shown), to carry away the dead steam which does not enter the grooves. 57 and the feed ducts in the liner plates. I

The drawings exaggerate the thickness of the liner plates, in order to' bring out the relation of the feed ducts. However, 1n actual size the liner plates are relatively thin,

and are polished on both sides thereof, and made ofrelatively good grade of steel which will withstand wear and the abrasive action of the brick material as it passes therethrough in its plastic condition.

With the above described brick making machine, I have found that perfect bricks forms of invention herein shown and described, without departing from the spirit of the'invention or the-scope of the .claims.

I claim: v 1. In a brick making machine a die, a die holding block upon which the die is axially supported, a concentrator member for cooperation with the die in guiding the plastic brick making material thereinto, and means to support the outer marginal portions of said member against the outer marginal portions of the die holding block for distributing forces in the latter remote from the die.

2. As an article of manufacture a device for concentrating plastic brick forming material-in brick making machines comprising a body having a tapered opening from one face thereof to the'other face thereof,

and having laterally extending fins carried thereby.-

' 3. In a device of-the class described a die holding, plate, a die carried axially on the die holding plate, the die holding plate on the rear surface thereof having a relatively large ring projecting rearwardly from the plane of the rear surface of the die holder within the area of said ring, and a mud concentrator having apasageway for concentrating mud and feeding it in guided relation to the dieprovided with a forward face spaced from the face within the area of said ring and engaging said ring to distribute forces into the die holding plate at said ring. 1

4. In a device of the class described a die holding plate, a die carried axially on the I die holdingi plate,.the die holding plate on the rear surface thereof having a relatively large ring projecting rearwardly from the plane'of the rear surface of the die holder within the area of said ring, a mud concentrator having a passageway for concentrating mud and feeding it in guided relation to the die provided with a forward face spaced from the face within the area of said ring and engaging said ring to distribute forces into the die holding plate at said ring, said die holding plate having a forwardly extending die supporting hub tion with the plate, said webs extending to a location on saidplate adjacent said ring.

5. As an article of manufacture a brick die comprising a casing provided with a passageway therethrough, and reversible liner pieces in-the passageway.

6. In a brick die the combination of a die housing having a passageway therethrough, a detachable liner for the passageway, and means for feeding lubricant to the inner surface of the liner including a duct in the liner inclining forwardly with respect to 'the axis of the die passageway.

7. In a brick die a housing having a passageway therethrough, liners detachably positioned in said passageway, said liners being reversible, lubricating grooves in the f die housin surfaces facing said liners, said communicate with said grooves, said'ducts inclining acutely to the' plane of the respective liners on which positioned, and detachable plugs for those ducts which incline rearwardly and towards the passageway of the'die when the liners are so positioned.

9. In a brickmaking machine the combination of a main housing, a feed screw in the 'main housing, a die holding plate,.a die carried axially on the die holding plate,

means connecting the die holding plate with the main housing at a location remote from the die supported by said plate, and concentrating means between the main housing and said die holding plate for guiding plastic brick forming material into the die, said concentrating means having force distributing engagement with the die holding plate only at a location remote from the die and being spaced from said plate from the location of said engagement in the direction of said die.

10. In a brick making die a housing in eluding top, bottom and side walls, defining a brick forming passageway therethrough of a polygonal cross section, and detachable liner plates for each of said walls, each of said liner plates having lubricant feed ducts transversely therethrou 'h at each of their side marginal portions orming the corners of the die passageway. 11. In abrick making die a housing including top, bottom and side walls, defining a brick forming passageway therethrough of polygonal cross section, detachable liner plates for each of said walls, each of said liner plates having lubricant feed ducts transversely therethrou h at each of their side marginal portions orming the'corners of the die passageway, said liners being reversible and the ducts being inclined at an acute angle to the die passageway, whereby the lubricant may be fed inwardly and forwardly of the corners of the die passageway, and detachable plugs located in said lubricating ducts which slope'rearwardly towards the passagewa 12. In a buck making die the combination of a die housing including top, bottom and side walls defining a passageway therethrough of polygonal cross section, the in-',

tion of said groove along the respective walls having ducts opening thereinto, said ducts extending transversely through the respective walls so that a cleaning implement may be inserted to clean the grooves, detachable plugs for said ducts, detachable liners for the inside surfaces of said walls of the die housing, means for feeding lubricant into said grooves, said liners having ports therethrough from the grooves to the passageway between said liners.

13. In a brick making die the combination of a die housing including top, bottom and side walls defining a passageway therethrough of polygonal cross section, the inside surfaces of said walls being provided with a continuous groove in a plane transverse to the die passageway, each of the portions of said groove along the respective walls having ducts opening t'hereinto, said ducts extending transversely through the respective walls so that a cleaning implement may be inserted to clean the grooves, de tachable plugs for said ducts, detachable liners for the inside surfaces of said walls of the die housing, means for feeding lubricant into said grooves, said liners having ports therethrough from the grooves to the passageway between said liners, said ports being inclined forwardly at an acute angle to the length of said passageway.

14. In a brick making die the combination of a die housing including top, bottom and side walls defining a passageway therethrough of polygonal cross section, the inside 'surfacesof said walls being provided'with a continuous groove in a plane transverse to the die passageway, each of the portions of said groove along the respective walls having ducts opening thereinto, said ducts extending tranversely through the respective walls so that a cleaning implement may be inserted to clean the grooves, detachable plugs for said ducts, detachable liners for the inside surfaces of said walls of the die housing, means for feeding lubricant into.

said grooves, said liners having ports therethrough from the grooves to the passageway between said liners, said ports being inclined forwardly at an acute angle to the length of said passageway, said liner plates being reversible and provided with detachable plugs for fitting in said ports when the plates are reversed so as to position the angularity thereof rearwardly towards the passageway.

TWOLIK R. LARGURA. 

